Plug Wrap or Tipping Paper for Smoking Articles

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to plug wrap or tipping paper ( 5 ) for smoking articles ( 1 ). More particularly, the present invention relates to plug wrap or tipping paper for smoking articles, wherein the plug wrap and tipping paper comprises a sheet having two or more plies ( 10,11 ) and one of the plies comprises adsorbent material. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing the plug wrap and tipping paper, and smoking articles comprising the plug wrap and/or tipping paper.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plug wrap for a smoking article. Thepresent invention relates also to a tipping paper for a smoking article.The present invention relates also to a method of making a plug wrap ortipping paper for a smoking article.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles are known wherein an adsorbent-containing web materialis positioned between the smoking material rod and the wrapper therefor.For example, WO 2005/082180 discloses smoking articles comprising a rodof smokable material, a wrapper about the rod of smokable material and aweb material comprising an adsorbent material and a flavourant, the webmaterial being positioned between the rod of smokable material and thewrapper and advantageously being adhered to the wrapper using anadhesive. The adsorbent material may absorb components of the smokeproduced from the smoking material rod, and for example may be carbon.In WO 2005/082180 a filler material such as calcium carbonate and a burnadditive such as citrate are advantageously used.

Further, wrappers for smoking articles in which the wrapper is formed asa single sheet are known. For example EP-A-0 407 022 discloses a wrapperfor smoking articles in which the wrapper comprises a single paper sheetformed from two or more discrete webs, the webs being combined while atleast one of the webs is still in the wet stage of formation beforedrying. Additionally, EP-A-0 475 580 discloses a wrapper for smokingarticles, the wrapper comprising a single paper sheet having two or moreplies, each ply being formed from a paper stock and wherein the paperstocks are applied to each other while at least one of the stocks isunformed. In both EP-A-0 407 022 and EP-A-0 475 580 one of the plies maycontain carbon.

However, the above-mentioned documents do not disclose the use of suchcombined wrappers as a plug wrap or as tipping paper.

Applicant has now found that, by enwrapping a filter element in a plugwrap or tipping paper comprising at least two plies and wherein saidplug wrap or tipping paper comprises a ply containing adsorbentmaterial, characteristics of a smoking article incorporating the filtermay be altered advantageously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a plug wrap ortipping paper for a smoking article, which comprises a sheet comprisingfirst and second plies, wherein:

-   -   the first ply comprises fibrous material; and    -   the second ply comprises fibrous material, and adsorbent        material.

It is advantageous to include adsorbent material in the plug wrap ortipping paper for a number of reasons. In particular, the inclusion ofadsorbent in the material constituting the plug wrap or tipping paperallows the use of smaller particles, having a greater surface area tovolume ratio, than is found with granules included in filters forinstance. Additionally, the inclusion of adsorbent in the materialconstituting the plug wrap or tipping paper avoids the need for adhesiveto adhere adsorbent particles to a plug wrap, as is found for instancein EP 0 579 410. Other benefits and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description.

Although the sheet may comprise more than two plies, it is advantageousthat the sheet is a double ply sheet, i.e. has only two plies.

The fibrous material present in the first and/or second ply may be afibrous cellulosic material, for instance a paper material.

The fibrous material may, for example, be present in the second ply inan amount of up to 40 gsm.

The fibrous material may, for example, be present in first ply in anamount of up to 20 gsm.

The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet may be at least 17gsm. The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet may be up to 60gsm.

The adsorbent material present in the second ply may, for example, becarbon, for instance activated carbon. Advantageously, the activatedcarbon has an activity level (CTC) of from 60 to 130, and furtheradvantageously from 80-120, and may suitably be approximately 100.

The adsorbent material may, for example, be in powder or particulateform. It may be in granular form.

The adsorbent material may, for example, be present in the second ply inan amount of up to 40 gsm.

The total amount of adsorbent material in the sheet may, for example, beup to 40 gsm.

The first and/or second ply may, for example, comprise filler material.Examples of suitable filler materials include calcium carbonate titaniumdioxide, magnesium oxide, calcium sulphate, clays and kaolins. Thefiller material may comprise calcium carbonate.

The filler material may, for example, be present in the second ply in anamount of up to 25 gsm. The filler material may, for example, be presentin the first ply in an amount of up to 15 gsm. The total amount offiller material in said sheet may, for example, be at least 8 gsm. Thetotal amount of filler material in the sheet may, for example, be up to40 gsm.

The second layer of the plug wrap or tipping paper may, for example,comprise flavourant. This is particularly suited to tipping paper.

The flavourant is advantageously flavourant selected from the followingcompound types: menthol (natural and/or synthetic), alcohols, esters,ketones, lactones, essential oils, aldehydes and heterocyclic compounds.A suitable flavourant is menthol.

The plug wrap or tipping paper may, for example, have a thickness of atleast 45 μm. The plug wrap or tipping paper may, for example, have athickness of up to 250 μm.

The second ply extends over at least a part of one surface of the firstply.

It is to be understood that, in the situation where more than two pliesare present in the sheet, the second ply may be separated from the firstply by additional plies.

The second ply may extend over the whole of one surface of the firstply.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the second ply comprisesdiluent.

If present, the flavourant may be added to the adsorbent material priorto forming the second layer. For example, the flavourant may be added tothe adsorbent material by spraying.

Alternatively, the flavourant may be added to the second layer afterformation of that layer. A further alternative is wherein the flavourantis added to the second layer after formation of the plug wrap or tippingpaper.

For example, the flavourant may be added to the second layer using aflavour applicator means, advantageously as a stream or streams offlavourant. Suitably, the plurality of streams of flavourant is appliedto the second layer in a line or in an array. When applied in an array,the array may comprise two lines of streams of flavourant, one of thelines being offset from the streams of flavourant in an adjacent line.Suitably, the flavourant is applied to the surface of the second layeras 1 to 30 streams of flavourant, and advantageously as 4 to 18 streamsof flavourant.

If the flavourant is solid at room temperature, it can be heated tomaintain the flavourant in the molten liquid state during application tothe adsorbent or the second layer, and is advantageously heated to atemperature of 40 to 45° C.

The plug wrap or tipping paper may be formed by any suitable methodprovided that the resultant plug wrap or tipping paper comprises asingle sheet. As used herein the term “single sheet” refers to a sheetin which the plies thereof are integral in the sense that the plies arenot merely placed adjacent to one another or adhered to one anotherusing such as adhesive (i.e. as in the case of WO 2005/082180).

In embodiments of the present invention, the plug wrap or tipping paperin the form of a single sheet is formed by combining the two or moreplies to form the single sheet while at least one of the plies is in thewet stage of formation prior to drying. For example, when the plug wrapor tipping paper is a double ply sheet, the plies may be combined whileone or of the plies is in the wet stage of formation prior to drying, orwhile both of the plies are in the wet stage of formation prior todrying.

In embodiments wherein the sheet is a single sheet comprising two ormore plies, the first ply is a first ply and the second ply is a secondply, the method may comprise combining the plies while at least one ofthe plies is still in the wet stage of formation prior to drying. Aftercombining the plies the formed sheet is typically dried.

An apparatus suitable for use in preparing the plug wrap or tippingpaper may, for example, be a multi-wire paper making machine such as adouble wire paper making machine.

The present invention further provides a smoking article comprising awrapped rod of smoking material, and a filter element, wherein thefilter element comprises a filter rod and a plug wrap enwrapping thefilter rod, the plug wrap being a plug wrap according to the presentinvention or a plug wrap prepared according to the method of the presentinvention. In such smoking article the second ply of the plug wrap isadvantageously located on the filter rod side of the plug wrap. Thisallows the adsorbent material to be relatively proximate to the flow ofsmoke through the smoking article, thereby allowing greater interactionwith constituents of the smoke than would be the case if the second plywere an outer ply. This also allows the outward appearance of the plugwrap not to be affected, or to be affected less, by the content of thesecond ply. This is particularly useful in the case where the adsorbentmaterial in the second ply is carbon.

The present invention still further provides a smoking articlecomprising a wrapped rod of smoking material, a filter element, andwherein the filter element is attached to the rod of smoking material bymeans of a tipping paper, the tipping paper being a tipping paperaccording to the present invention or a tipping paper prepared accordingto the method of the present invention. In such smoking article thesecond ply of the tipping paper is advantageously located on the filterrod side of the tipping paper. This allows the adsorbent material to berelatively proximate to the flow of smoke through the smoking article,thereby allowing greater interaction with constituents of the smoke thanwould be the case if the second ply were an outer ply. This also allowsthe outward appearance of the tipping paper not to be affected, or to beaffected less, by the content of the second ply. This is particularlyuseful in the case where the adsorbent material in the second ply iscarbon. Further, in such smoking article the filter element may comprisea filter rod enwrapped in a plug wrap, with the plug wrap being locatedbetween the filter rod and the tipping paper.

The present invention still further provides a smoking articlecomprising a wrapped rod of smoking material, a filter element, wherein(a) the filter element comprises a filter rod and a plug wrap enwrappingthe filter rod, the plug wrap being a plug wrap according to the presentinvention or a plug wrap prepared according to the method of the presentinvention, and (b) the filter element is attached to the rod of smokingmaterial by means of a tipping paper, the tipping paper being a tippingpaper according to the present invention or a tipping paper preparedaccording to the method of the present invention. In such smokingarticle the second ply of the plug wrap is advantageously located on thefilter rod side of the plug wrap. This allows the adsorbent material tobe relatively proximate to the flow of smoke through the smokingarticle, thereby allowing greater interaction with constituents of thesmoke than would be the case if the second ply were an outer ply. Thisalso allows the outward appearance of the plug wrap not to be affected,or to be affected less, by the content of the second ply. This isparticularly useful in the case where the adsorbent material in thesecond ply is carbon. Further, in such smoking article, the second plyof the tipping paper is advantageously located on the filter rod side ofthe tipping paper.

The second ply of the plug wrap and/or the tipping paper isadvantageously located on the filter rod side of said plug wrap and/ortipping paper. This can be more aesthetically pleasing to the smoker.That is, the second ply, which contains the adsorbent material, islocated between the first ply and the filter rod such that the secondply is not visible to the smoker. Furthermore, in this arrangement theadsorbent material will have greater interaction with constituents ofthe smoke during smoking (compared to the second ply being on the outersurface of the plug wrap/tipping wrapper).

In the smoking article according to the present invention the filterelement may comprise a filter rod comprising adsorbent material.Examples of suitable adsorbent materials include carbon. Advantageously,the adsorbent material is carbon and more advantageously is activatedcarbon. Any form of activated carbon may be used. Advantageously, theactivated carbon has an activity level (CTC) of from 60 to 130, andpreferably from 80-120, and suitably for example approximately 100.

The adsorbent material, when present in the filter element, may, forexample, be in granular, powder or particulate form.

The filter element may be a multiple filter comprising multiple sectionssuch as, for example, a dual or triple filter. Suitable filters are wellknown to those skilled in the art. A preferred filter element containsadsorbent material for the reduction of vapour phase constituents ofsmoke. Such filters known in the art include Dalmation filters in whichparticulate adsorbent material is interspersed in fibrous filtermaterial, for example fibrous cellulosic material, and cavity filters inwhich a cavity portion of the multi-segment filter contains adsorbentmaterial. When the second layer contains flavourant, such flavourant isreleased from the second layer during smoking of the smoking articlewithout adversely affecting the ability of the adsorbent in the filterto reduce vapour phase constituents of the smoke.

In the embodiment of the present invention wherein the smoking articlecomprises a filter element comprising a filter rod, and wherein thefilter rod comprises adsorbent material, the filter rod may comprise acellulose acetate mouth end section and a Dalmation rod section,containing the adsorbent material, located at the smoking material rodend of the filter element.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present invention wherein thesmoking article comprises a filter element comprising a filter rod, andwherein the filter rod comprises adsorbent material, the filter rod maybe a cavity filter comprising two end sections and a central cavitycontaining said adsorbent material.

When the filter rod of a smoking article comprises adsorbent material,the presence of adsorbent material in the plug wrap and/or tipping paperaccording to the present invention increases the reduction in vapourphase components, compared to the use of the filter alone.

When the filter rod of a smoking article comprises adsorbent material,the presence of adsorbent in the plug wrap and/or tipping paperaccording to the present invention may improve the efficiency of thefilter in reducing vapour phase constituents in smoke generated duringsmoking of the smoking article.

The filter element may alternatively comprise a filter plug ofhomogeneous filtration material, a plug wrap overwrapping the filterplug, circumferentially spaced grooves extending longitudinally of thefilter plug, and a ventilating tipping paper interconnecting the filterelement to a tobacco rod, a number of grooves being open on the side ofthe tobacco rod and extending continuously only over a part of thelength of the filter element, and hence not up to the mouth end of thefilter element, which grooves are axially aligned with respect to thefilter axis, in to which axially extending grooves ventilating airenters via overlying ventilating tipping paper, and any mouth extendinggroove not being ventilated.

The smoking material may be a tobacco-containing smoking material or anon-tobacco-containing smoking material. Advantageously the smokingmaterial is a tobacco-containing material, and more advantageously thesmoking material is a tobacco material. Suitably, the tobacco materialcomprises of stem, lamina and tobacco dust. An example, of a tobaccomaterial is one containing of the following tobacco types: Virginia orflue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, reconstitutedtobacco and stem. Advantageously, the smoking material comprises a blendof tobacco material.

In a smoking article according to the present invention, the tippingpaper may enwrap the whole of the filter element and extend part of theway along the smoking material rod. Alternatively, the tipping paper maybe a narrow strip of material which extends over only a part, forexample a small part, of the length of the filter element and smokingmaterial rod.

In embodiments of the present invention, the smoking article is acigarette.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof making a plug wrap or tipping paper for a smoking article, the methodcomprising combining a first ply comprising fibrous material and asecond ply comprising fibrous material and adsorbent material to make atwo-ply sheet.

By practice of the present invention there may be provided of thefollowing:

a) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper that may be used in forming asmoking article and which enables a reduction in the vapour phaseconstituents of the smoke delivered to the smoker to be achieved;b) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper which can be produced having athickness similar to that of conventional plug wrap and tipping papersuch that the plug wrap and tipping paper can be used in conventionalsmoking article (e.g. cigarette) manufacturing machinery for producingsmoking articles and thereby avoid the cost of additional machinery;c) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper comprising two or more plies withone of the plies comprising adsorbent material(s), which plug wrapand/or tipping paper can be formed remote from the smoking articlemaking machine, this being advantageous as it reduces the complexity ofthe manufacturing machinery required by the smoking article manufacturerbecause the smoking article manufacturer does not require machinery tomanufacture the sheet itself; andd) a plug wrap and/or tipping paper that enables flavourant to beincorporated and stabilised therein, such that the flavourant is notreleased until smoking of a smoking article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section longitudinally through a smoking articlewith a filter rod including a plug wrap and a tipping paper according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 shows two plies used to make the plug wrap and tipping paper ofthe smoking article of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through the filter rod of FIG. 1 along linex-x including a 2-ply plug wrap and a conventional tipping paper;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the filter rod of FIG. 1 along linex-x including a 2-ply tipping paper and a conventional plug wrap;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through the filter rod of FIG. 1 along linex-x including a 2-ply plug wrap and a 2-ply tipping paper; and

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a process of making the 2-ply single sheetof FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a smoking article 1 in longitudinal cross-section. Thesmoking article 1 comprises a rod 2 of smokable material enwrapped by awrapper 4 and a filter rod 3. The filter rod 3 is positioned at a mouthend of the smoking article 1. The filter rod 3 is enwrapped by a plugwrap 5. The filter rod 3 is attached to the rod of smokable material 2by a tipping paper 6. Each of the wrapper 4, the plug wrap 5 and thetipping paper 6 is made of a respective single sheet.

The plug wrap 5 extends for the entire length of the filter rod 3 in thelongitudinal axis of the smoking article 1. The plug wrap 5 thus enwrapsthe entire radial surface of the filter rod 3.

The filter rod 3 may be a multiple filter comprising multiple sectionssuch as, for example, a dual or triple filter. Suitable filters are wellknown to those skilled in the art. The filter 3 may include adsorbentmaterial, for instance activated carbon, for the reduction of vapourphase constituents of smoke. Suitable filters include Dalmation filtersin which particulate adsorbent material is interspersed in fibrousfilter material, for example fibrous cellulosic material, and cavityfilters in which a cavity portion of the multi-segment filter containsone or more adsorbent material, for instance activated carbon. When thesecond ply is positioned near to the mouth end of the smoking article,it has been found that the flavourant is released from the second plyduring smoking of the smoking article without being adsorbed by theadsorbent material of the filter and without adversely affecting theability of the adsorbent in the filter to reduce vapour phaseconstituents of the smoke. It is possible that the smoke drawn throughthe filter during smoking is of such a temperature as to at leastpartially volatilise the flavourant.

The filter rod 3 may alternatively comprise a filter plug of homogeneousfiltration material, a plug wrap overwrapping the filter plug,circumferentially spaced grooves extending longitudinally of the filterplug, and a ventilating tipping paper interconnecting the filter elementto a tobacco rod, a number of grooves being open on the side of thetobacco rod and extending continuously only over a part of the length ofthe filter element, and hence not up to the mouth end of the filterelement, which grooves are axially aligned with respect to the filteraxis, in to which axially extending grooves ventilating air enters viaoverlying ventilating tipping paper, and any mouth extending groove notbeing ventilated.

The wrapper 4 and the plug wrap 5 meet at the boundary of the filter rod3 and the smokable rod 2. The wrapper 4 and the plug wrap 5 do notoverlap one another. The wrapper 4 and the plug wrap 5 are at leastpartially enwrapped by the tipping paper 6. The tipping paper 6 mayextend over the whole length of the filter rod 3 and a part of thelength of the smokable rod 2. Alternatively, the tipping paper 6 mayextend over only a part of the filter rod 3 and a part of the length ofthe smokable rod 2.

The smokable rod 2 comprises a smoking material. The smoking material isa tobacco-containing smoking material or a non-tobacco-containingsmoking material. The smoking material may be a tobacco-containingmaterial, or a tobacco material. Suitably, the tobacco materialcomprises one or more of stem, lamina and tobacco dust. An example, of atobacco material is one containing one or more of the following tobaccotypes: Virginia or flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco,reconstituted tobacco and stem. The smoking material may comprise ablend of tobacco material.

FIG. 2 shows a sheet 8 comprising two plies 10, 11. The sheet 8constitutes the plug wrap 5 and/or the tipping paper 6. The thickness ofthe plug wrap 5 and the tipping paper 6 is similar to that ofconventional cigarette papers.

The first ply 10 is comprised of fibrous material. The second ply 11 iscomprised of adsorbent material, fibrous material and optionallyflavourant. In this embodiment, the adsorbent material is carbon. Thefibrous material is a fibrous cellulosic material, such as paper. Theflavourant, if present, may for instance be a menthol flavourant. Thetwo plies 10, 11 are integral in the sense that they are not merelyplaced adjacent to one another or adhered to one another using such asan adhesive, but are formed as a single sheet. The sheets may be said tobe adhered together by the fibre bonding inherent in the papermakingprocess. The plug wrap 5 and the tipping paper 6 are formed using adouble-wire process, as described below.

FIG. 3 shows a transverse cross-section through the filter rod 3 of FIG.1 along line x-x of FIG. 1 with 2-ply plug wrap 5 and with conventionaltipping paper 6 enwrapping the filter rod 3. The first ply 20 of theplug wrap 5 is the external ply. The outer surface of the first ply 20of the plug wrap 5 is adjacent to the inner surface of the tipping paper6. The second ply 21 of the plug wrap 5 is the interior ply. The innersurface of the second ply 21 of the plug wrap 5 is adjacent to thefilter rod 3. The outer surface of the tipping paper 6 corresponds tothe exterior surface of the tipping paper 6 and thus the exteriorsurface of the smoking article 1.

FIG. 4 shows a transverse cross-section through the filter rod 3 of FIG.1 along line x-x of FIG. 1 of an alternative embodiment. In thisembodiment, there is provided conventional plug wrap 5 and 2-ply tippingpaper 6 enwrapping the filter rod 3. The first ply 30 of the tippingpaper 6 is the external ply. The outer surface of the first ply 30 ofthe tipping paper 6 corresponds to the exterior surface of the tippingpaper 6 and thus the exterior surface of the smoking article 1. Thesecond ply 31 of the tipping paper 6 is the internal ply. The innersurface of the second ply 31 of the tipping paper 6 is adjacent to theouter surface of the plug wrap 5. The inner surface of the plug wrap 5is adjacent to the filter rod 3.

FIG. 5 shows a transverse cross-section through the filter rod 3 of FIG.1 along line x-x of FIG. 1 with a still further embodiment. In thisembodiment, there is provided 2-ply plug wrap 5 and 2-ply tipping paper6 enwrapping the filter rod 3. The arrangement of the 2-ply plug wrap 5is same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the arrangement ofthe 2-ply tipping paper 6 is same as that of the embodiment shown inFIG. 4. Thus, the outer surface of the first ply 20 of the plug wrap 5is adjacent to the inner surface of the second ply 31 of the tippingpaper 6.

In alternative embodiments, the plug wrap 5 is omitted. In theseembodiments, the tipping paper 6 is formed of the sheet 8 shown in FIG.2. Here, the tipping paper 6 extends over the whole length of the filterrod 3 and a part of the length of the smokable rod 2 and thus alsoserves the function of the plug wrap 5.

The following relates to all of the above-described embodiments.

Upon smoking, the smoking article 1 is ignited at the end furthest fromthe filter rod 3. Smoke is drawn along the smokable rod 2 to the smoker.The presence of the adsorbent material in the plug wrap and/or tippingpaper improves the smoking article. This is achieved because theadsorbent material reduces vapour phase constituents generated duringsmoking of the smoking article 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method in making the sheet 8which, as explained above can be used as 2-ply plug wrap 5 and/or 2-plytipping paper 6.

At step S1, the first ply 10 and the second ply 11 are made separately.The first and second plies 10, 11 have different compositions. The plies10, 11 may be of different thicknesses.

The first ply 10 comprises fibrous material and filler.

The fibrous material is a fibrous cellulosic material. Particularly, thefibrous cellulosic material is a paper material.

The filler may be calcium carbonate (chalk), titanium dioxide, magnesiumoxide, calcium sulphate, clays or a kaolin. Advantageously the filler iscalcium carbonate. The one or more filler material may, for example, bepresent in the second ply in an amount of up to 25 gsm. The one or morefiller material may, for example, be present in the first ply in anamount of up to 15 gsm. The total amount of filler material in saidsheet may, for example, be at least 8 gsm. The total amount of fillermaterial in the sheet 8 may, for example, be up to 40 gsm.

The second ply 11 comprises adsorbent material, fibrous material, andoptionally flavourant.

The fibrous material is a fibrous cellulosic material. Particularly, thefibrous cellulosic material is a paper material. The fibrous material ispresent in the second ply 11 in an amount of up to 40 gsm. The fibrousmaterial is present in first second ply 11 in an amount of up to 20 gsm.

The adsorbent material may be carbon, or it may be another suitableadsorbent. The adsorbent material may be activated carbon. Any form ofactivated carbon may be used. The activated carbon may have an activitylevel (CTC) of from 60 to 130. Advantageously, the activated carbon hasan activity level of about 100, or between 80 and 120, or approximately100. The adsorbent material advantageously is in powder or particulateform. It may alternatively be in granular form. The adsorbent materialis present in the second ply in an amount of up to 40 gsm.

The flavourant may be any of the following: menthol (natural and/orsynthetic), alcohols, esters, ketones, lactones, essential oils,aldehydes and heterocyclic compounds. A different, suitable flavourantmay be may used instead. The flavourant is added to the adsorbentmaterial prior to forming the second ply. The flavourant may be added tothe second ply 11, after the inclusion of the adsorbent material, byspraying. For example, the flavourant may be added to the second plyusing a flavour applicator means, for instance as a stream or streams offlavourant. Suitably, the plurality of streams of flavourant is appliedto the second ply in a line or in an array. When applied in an array,the array may comprise two lines of streams of flavourant, one of thelines being offset from the streams of flavourant in an adjacent line.Suitably, the flavourant is applied to the surface of the second ply as1 to 30 streams of flavourant, and preferably as 4 to 18 streams offlavourant. If the flavourant is solid at room temperature, it is heatedto maintain the flavourant in the molten liquid state during applicationto the second ply 11, and may be heated to a temperature of 40 to 45° C.

Alternatively, the flavourant can be added to the second ply 11 afterformation of the two-ply paper.

In some embodiments, the second ply also comprises filler. The fillermay be calcium carbonate (chalk), titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide,calcium sulphate, clays or a kaolin. Advantageously the filler iscalcium carbonate. The filler material is present in the second ply inan amount of up to 25 gsm.

As well as considering the first and second plies 10, 11 separately, itcan be useful to consider the materials and physical characteristics ofthe resulting paper when determining what compositions to give to theplies 10, 11.

The two-ply sheet has a thickness of at least 45 μm. The two-ply sheethas a thickness of up to 250 μm.

The total amount of filler material in the sheet is at least 8 gsm. Thetotal amount of filler material in the sheet 8 is up to 40 gsm.

The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet is at least 17 gsm.The total amount of fibrous material in the sheet 8 is up to 60 gsm.

At step S2, the first and second plies 10, 11 are pressed together so asto form a single sheet of paper using a double-wire paper makingmachine. Double-wire paper making machines are well known in the art sothis step will not be described in detail. The result is a sheet ofpaper comprising a wet web having the first and second plies 10, 11. Thewet web is flat with no creping.

At step S3, the wet web is dried using a series of drying drums to forma sheet of paper.

At step S4, the dried sheet is rolled onto a bobbin, for storage and/ortransportation.

The dried sheet is then used as a plug wrap and/or tipping paper forsmoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, made using a conventional cigarettemanufacturing machine. The main structural difference between theresulting cigarettes and conventional cigarettes is the composition ofthe plug wrap and/or tipping paper.

1. A plug wrap or tipping paper for a smoking article, comprising: asheet formed from first and second plies, the first ply comprisingfibrous material and the second ply comprising fibrous material, andadsorbent material.
 2. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim1, wherein said adsorbent is carbon.
 3. The plug wrap or tipping paperaccording to claim 2, wherein said carbon is activated carbon.
 4. Theplug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 3, wherein said activatedcarbon has an activity level (CTC) of 60-130 or 80-120 or approximately100.
 5. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, whereinsaid second ply further comprises flavourant.
 6. The plug wrap ortipping paper according to claim 1, wherein said second ply comprisesfiller material.
 7. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 6,wherein said filler material comprises calcium carbonate.
 8. The plugwrap or tipping paper according to claim 6, wherein said filler materialis present in said second ply in an amount of up to 25 gsm.
 9. The plugwrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein the first plycomprises filler material.
 10. The plug wrap or tipping paper accordingto claim 9, wherein said filler material comprises calcium carbonate.11. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 9, wherein saidfiller material is present in said first ply in an amount of up to 15gsm.
 12. The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 7, whereinthe total amount of filler material in said sheet is up to 40 gsm. 13.The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein the fibrousmaterial is present in said first ply in an amount of up to 20 gsm. 14.The plug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein the totalamount of fibrous material in said sheet is up to 60 gsm.
 15. The plugwrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein the total amount offibrous material in said sheet is at least 17 gsm.
 16. The plug wrap ortipping paper according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the plugwrap or tipping paper is at least 45 p.m.
 17. The plug wrap or tippingpaper according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the plug wrap ortipping paper is up to 250 pm.
 18. The plug wrap or tipping paperaccording to claim 1, wherein said second ply comprises diluent.
 19. Theplug wrap or tipping paper according to claim 1, wherein said plies arecombined to form said single sheet while at least one of the plies is inthe wet stage of formation prior to drying.
 20. The plug wrap or tippingpaper according to claim 19, wherein the plies are combined while bothof said plies are in the wet stage of formation prior to drying.
 21. Afilter element, comprising: a filter rod; and a plug wrap enwrappingsaid filter rod, wherein said plug wrap is a sheet formed from first andsecond plies, wherein the first ply comprises fibrous material and thesecond ply comprises fibrous material, and adsorbent material.
 22. Asmoking article, comprising: a wrapped rod of smoking material; and afilter element that comprises a filter rod and a plug wrap enwrappingsaid filter rod, wherein said plug wrap is a sheet formed from first andsecond plies, wherein the first ply comprises fibrous material and thesecond ply comprises fibrous material, and adsorbent material.
 23. Thesmoking article according to claim 22, wherein said second ply of saidplug wrap is located on the filter rod side of said plug wrap.
 24. Asmoking article, comprising: a wrapped rod of smoking material; and afilter element attached to said rod of smoking material by means of atipping paper, wherein said tipping paper is a sheet of paper formedfrom first and second plies, wherein the first ply comprises fibrousmaterial and the second ply comprises fibrous material and adsorbentmaterial.
 25. The smoking article according to claim 24, wherein saidsecond ply of said tipping paper is located on the filter element sideof said tipping paper.
 26. The smoking article according to claim 24,wherein said filter element comprises a filter rod enwrapped in a plugwrap, said plug wrap being located between said filter rod and saidtipping paper.
 27. A smoking article, comprising: a wrapped rod ofsmoking material; a filter element that comprises a filter rod and aplug wrap enwrapping said filter rod, wherein said filter element isattached to said rod of smoking material by means of a tipping paper,wherein each of said plug wrap and said tipping paper is a sheet ofpaper formed from a first ply and a second ply, wherein the first plycomprises fibrous material and the second ply comprises fibrous materialand adsorbent material.
 28. The smoking article according to claim 22formed as a cigarette.
 29. A method of making a plug wrap or tippingpaper for a smoking article, the method comprising: combining a firstply comprising fibrous material and a second ply comprising fibrousmaterial and adsorbent material to form a two-ply sheet.
 30. The methodaccording to claim 29, further comprising combining said first ply andsaid second ply while at least one of said first ply and said second plyis still in the wet stage of formation prior to drying.
 31. The methodaccording to claim 29, further comprising combining said first ply andsaid second ply using a multi-wire paper making machine.